'A story as old as the world': Boris Akunin gives euronews his view on the situation in Russia

In the Russian cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, demonstrations have also taken place to oppose President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to use military force in Ukraine.

Around 40 protesters were reportedly arrested for unspecified reasons during the rally.

Euronews asked prominent writer and human rights advocate, Grigory Chkhartishvili, known widely by his pdeudonym “Boris Akunin”, for his view on the situation between Russia and Ukraine.

“I am really horrified by the reckless scheme Vladimir Putin is hatching in front of us,” he said.

“It does not just threaten to cause problems between our two countries and bloodshed between brothers, but I think our country will pay an exceptionally high price to get out of the situation and it will be difficult to save face.

This story is as old as the world. A petty military victory is a distraction from what the Russian authorities plan to do in Russia, to their own people. They want to turn the screws on the Russian people and dispose of the opposition.

But I don’t think it will be the victory he hopes for. He will get nothing.”